Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been in detention for five months despite court orders for his release, yet President Bola Tinubu is a respecter of the rule of law.

Development Diaries reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday failed to present Emefiele in court, contrary to a directive issued by the Federal Capital Territory High Court on 02 November.

The court had ordered the commission to either release Emefiele or bring him to court for a hearing related to his bail.

It is understood that in Monday’s court proceedings, the former CBN boss was noticeably absent while Emefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, accused the EFCC of disregarding the court’s order.

This is not the first time a government agency would disregard the rule of law by disobeying a court order.

Development Diaries reported severally on how the Department of State Services (DSS) breached the law in the area of infringement on Emefile’s human rights by detaining him for a prolonged period.

Also, in July 2023, the DSS refused to let go of Emefiele, despite a court order granting the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) custody of him.

He was held without proof of the crime he allegedly committed.

During his inaugural speech, Tinubu promised Nigerians that his administration would govern according to the country’s constitution and uphold the rule of law. However, the reverse seems to be the case.

Disregarding the rule of law undermines the credibility of democratic institutions in Nigeria and erodes public trust in the democratic process.

Actions and decisions of government agencies are meant to be made in accordance with established legal norms and principles, thereby promoting transparency, accountability, and fairness.

Development Diaries calls on the EFCC to respect the order of the court. We also call on the president to prove that he is indeed a respecter of the country’s rule of law by directing all government agencies to respect court orders.